Bottomless Bowls: Why Visual Cues of Portion Size May Influence Intake

Work

by Brian Wansink, James E. Painter, Jill North · 2005

A classic behavioral psychology study examining how visual cues influence food intake. The experiment showed that participants eating from self-refilling 'bottomless' soup bowls consumed significantly more soup than those eating from normal bowls, yet did not believe they had eaten more or feel more sated.

1 episode featuring Bottomless Bowls: Why Visual Cues of Portion Size May Influence Intake

Modern Wisdom
Why endless choices cause cognitive overwhelm and how constraints spark creativity
Chasing endless optionality and over-optimization leads to chronic overwhelm, but understanding the power of deliberate limits can restore focus and drive original thinking.
Jul 9, 2026 · 1h 19m

1 episode featuring Bottomless Bowls: Why Visual Cues of Portion Size May Influence Intake

Why endless choices cause cognitive overwhelm and how constraints spark creativity